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North Kohala Towns
Hāwī & Kapaʻau - Where history, art, and aloha come alive
Written by a Local Expert
Leilani AkoA Day in North Kohala: Exploring Hāwī and Kapaʻau
After the physical effort and profound beauty of Pololū Valley, the nearby towns of Hāwī and Kapaʻau offer a perfect change of pace. These historic sugar plantation towns have reinvented themselves as charming hubs of art, culture, and cuisine. Spending an afternoon exploring their shops and historic sites is the ideal way to complete a full-day adventure in North Kohala.
You're supporting the local community that acts as the gateway to the valley. This day trip can be seen as a journey through the life and legacy of King Kamehameha I, connecting the places that shaped him into the unifier of the Hawaiian Islands.
These aren't just tourist stops - they're living communities where local families have lived for generations, preserving the authentic spirit of Old Hawaii while welcoming visitors with genuine aloha.
Kapaʻau: The Legacy of a King
The small town of Kapaʻau holds an outsized place in Hawaiian history, primarily as the home of the original King Kamehameha I Statue.
The Main Attraction: The Original King Kamehameha I Statue
Standing proudly in front of the North Kohala Civic Center, this statue has a story as dramatic as the king it honors. Commissioned by the Hawaiian legislature in 1878 to celebrate the centennial of Captain Cook's arrival, the statue was sculpted in Italy and cast in bronze in Paris.
In 1880, the ship carrying it from Germany sank in a storm off the Falkland Islands, and the statue was presumed lost at sea. With the insurance money, a second statue was cast from the original mold. This is the famous one that now stands in downtown Honolulu.
🌊 A Miraculous Recovery
Miraculously, the original statue was recovered from the ocean floor by salvagers years later. The captain of the ship that found it eventually sold it back to the Hawaiian Kingdom. In 1912, this original, sea-battered statue was brought here, to Kapaʻau, to stand near the birthplace of the great king.
Every year on Kamehameha Day (June 11), the statue is ceremoniously draped in immense, beautiful flower lei, a tribute to Hawaiʻi's greatest monarch.
🍽️ Eat in Kapaʻau
Gill's Lanai: A casual spot known for fresh fish tacos and burgers, often with live music on their upper deck.
Kings View Cafe: Offering a variety of fare in a convenient location with views.
🎨 Art in Kapaʻau
Ackerman Galleries: A family-owned gallery that has been curating fine original paintings, wood carvings, and jewelry from Big Island artists for over four decades.
Hāwī: A Hub of Art, Food, and Aloha
Just a short drive from Kapaʻau, the slightly larger town of Hāwī serves as the commercial heart of North Kohala. Its main street is lined with colorful, historic plantation-era buildings that now house unique boutiques, galleries, and restaurants.
Dining in Hāwī
🏛️ Bamboo Restaurant & Gallery
The most iconic establishment, located in a beautifully restored historic building. Known for its creative island cuisine and the attached gallery filled with local crafts. A must-visit dining experience.
☕ Kohala Coffee Mill
A local favorite offering excellent coffee, ice cream, sandwiches, and pastries. Perfect for a casual stop and local atmosphere.
Shopping & Galleries in Hāwī
Hāwī is a browser's paradise, with each shop offering unique treasures that reflect the artistic spirit of North Kohala.
👗 As Hawi Turns
A landmark shop with sophisticated resort wear, vintage items, and jewelry. Known for unique finds and quality pieces.
💎 Elements Jewelry
Features original jewelry and unique gifts from local artists. Beautiful handcrafted pieces that capture the spirit of Hawaii.
🖼️ Wishard Gallery
Founded by a Big Island-born artist, showcases stunning oil paintings of Hawaiʻi's landscapes alongside antiques and artifacts.
🎸 Hawi Gallery
Specializes in vintage and custom ukuleles and other Hawaiian instruments. Perfect for music lovers and unique souvenirs.
🥬 Hawi Farmers Market
Saturday mornings at Kohala Village Hub. Local produce, crafts, and a slice of community life.
Extending the Historical Journey
For those truly dedicated to tracing Kamehameha's story, the journey doesn't end in the towns. These additional sites complete the circle of his life and legacy.
🏛️ Kohala Historical Sites State Monument
Located west of Hāwī near the remote Upolu Airport, this park contains two of the most significant sites in Hawaiian history.
Moʻokini Heiau
A massive ancient temple dating back to the 5th century, dedicated to the war god Kū.
Kamehameha I Birthsite
The very spot where the future king was born around 1758.
Note: Access can be difficult via rough dirt road, but for history buffs, it's a pilgrimage to the starting point of a nation.
⛩️ Puʻukoholā Heiau National Historic Site
While further south in Kawaihae, this site is the powerful conclusion to the story. It was here, in 1790, that Kamehameha built his great temple, fulfilling a prophecy that would lead to his unification of the islands.
The Sacred Connection
The stones used to construct this monumental heiau were passed hand-to-hand by thousands of men in a human chain that stretched for miles, all the way from Pololū Valley. Visiting this site after Pololū brings the story full circle.
Complete the Royal Journey
From Pololū's sacred stones to Puʻukoholā's temple, trace the path of Hawaii's greatest king across the landscapes that shaped a nation.
Pololū Valley
Childhood Refuge
Childhood Refuge
Kamehameha Birthsite
The Beginning
The Beginning
Puʻukoholā Heiau
Unification Temple
Unification Temple
🗺️ Complete Guide
Overview
Getting started
Trail & Safety GuideHiking details & warnings
History & CultureGeological & cultural stories
North Kohala Towns
You are here
🏘️ Town Highlights
Kapaʻau Must-See
- • Original Kamehameha Statue
- • Ackerman Galleries
- • Gill's Lanai for lunch
Hāwī Must-See
- • Bamboo Restaurant
- • As Hawi Turns boutique
- • Saturday Farmers Market
🚗 Driving Distances
- Pololū to Kapaʻau: 8 minutes
- Kapaʻau to Hāwī: 5 minutes
- Hāwī to Waimea: 20 minutes
- Hāwī to Kona: 45 minutes
⏰ Best Time to Visit
- Lunch Time 11 AM - 2 PM
- Gallery Hours 10 AM - 4 PM
- Farmers Market Sat 7 AM - noon
💡 Local Tips
- Park respectfully - lots are small
- Bring cash for farmers market
- Some shops close on Sundays
- Support local businesses
